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Articles

EurWORK articles cover working life in Europe, in particular the fields of industrial relations and working conditions. The articles are based on quarterly reporting provided by the Network of European Correspondents.

Topical updates summarise and update developments around selected topics, which are relevant across a number of Member States at the same time

Spotlight reports cover in more depth country-level events, debates and changes in regulation related to working life, aiming to provide a balanced view of all parties’ positions

Research in Focus articles report on important research findings (including surveys) from the national level, often, but not exclusively, in the area of working conditions

In brief articles are short news items drawn from the correspondents' quarterly reports

Country updates summarise developments at national level and are published 4 times a year

In December 2017, social partners renewed the collective agreement for the Italian logistics sector, which had expired two years earlier. The agreement, after a period of unrest, addresses continuing developments in the sector, which are significantly reshaping sectoral business and employment features. However, enforcement needs on-the-ground monitoring activities, to be implemented by unions and inspectors.

The increasing fragmentation of sectoral agreements in Italy is highlighted in a report, released in November 2017, by the tripartite National Economic and Labour Council. It adds that decentralised bargaining increasingly deals with performance-related pay and welfare benefits. Although this overall picture cannot be viewed as representative, it does shed light on recent trends.

A study published by the Human Resource Development Authority in Cyprus has forecast an overall increase in employment demand of 21% over the next 10 years (a need for an extra 78,000 workers). The study adds that there is an urgent need for the public authorities and the social partners to promote training measures.

Since 1 January 2018, paternity leave in Luxembourg has been increased from 2 to 10 days, under legislation passed in December 2017. The law, aimed to improve people’s work–life balance, also introduces more flexibility for parents to use leave to take care of a sick child, but reduces some leave permissible for personal reasons.

Protests by doctors at public healthcare facilities, delays in trade union legislation, and the government’s hasty removal of the limit on income subject to social security contributions are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Poland in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Positive changes to labour market legislation for the unemployed, amendments to family legislation for fathers, and the announcement of strikes by public sector trade unions for 2018 are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Slovenia in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Endorsement of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Commission’s Directive on working conditions, the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment, and fourth Eurocadres congress are the main topics of interest in this article. This update reports on the latest developments in working life in the European Union in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Social security arrangements for independent workers, an increase in the minimum wage without tripartite agreement, and continuing conflict at the Volkswagen Autoeuropa car assembly plant, are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Portugal in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The Slovakian government has increased the monthly subsistence minimum amount for an adult by 0.7%. The rise, effective from 1 July 2017, is the first in four years. Although a significant step for state finances, it is nevertheless a very cautious move and has been criticised by the unions who want a higher rate.

A considerable increase in the minimum wage, unions´request for early retirement for those working in hazardous conditions, and changes in the delivery of occupational health services are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Slovakia in the fourth quarter of 2017.